Honda Gold Wing To Go Hybrid?

World's biggest motorcycle manufacturer, Japan based Honda , has filed last year (September 2010) for a patent for a hybrid motorcycle. Looking at the patent in detail, among all the legal goobledygook, and the attached drawing, it's quite obvious that the motorcycle in question is Honda's flag tourer; the Gold Wing.

Below is a drawing which was submitted with the patent, and within the drawing I have superimposed a photo of the actual Gold Wing, and you can see it's a near match (you can click on the photo for a bigger version).


Making the Gold Wing a hybrid is a great idea, except for one thing. From the numerous experiences with hybrid cars, owners are reporting back that hybrid cars don't save gasoline when going long distances. They are worth their weight in gold in the city, will all the stopping, starting, acceleration. The Gold Wing was made for riding long distances, miles and miles of roads. There would be very little need to switch to an electrical engine.

Though I like the idea, somehow it just doesn't look effective to me. Hybrid scooters, or hybrid street motorcycles make much more sense.

What do you think? Will this be a success if Honda ever brings out the hybrid, or should they stick to making hybrid city scooters?

Click here to read the Honda Hybrid patent .

Via: Kneeslider